總結
- Classically presents with megaloblastic anaemia, but can also present with peripheral neuropathy and other neuropsychiatric complaints.
- Older people, patients with chronic malabsorption, patients with a history of gastric resection or bypass, and those taking certain medicines (metformin, proton-pump inhibitors) are at risk.
- Early diagnosis is critical in preventing and halting the progression of neurological disorders such as peripheral neuropathy and dementia.
- Methylmalonic acid and homocysteine levels may help to diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency at an early, asymptomatic state.
- Once vitamin B12 deficiency is confirmed, the cause should be searched for.
- High-dose oral therapy may be as effective as parenteral vitamin B12 in the treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Other related conditions
- Assessment of anaemia
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
- Assessment of dementia
- Assessment of polyneuropathy
- Gastritis
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
- Tropical sprue
- Coeliac disease
- Crohn's disease
- Tapeworm infection
- Folate deficiency
- HIV infection
- Alpha-thalassaemia
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Cirrhosis
- Stomach cancer
- Multiple sclerosis
- Overview of thyroid dysfunction
- Depression
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Syphilis infection
最後更新於: 九月 12, 2012
